I've seen this subject worse developed, but that doesn't mean there's no room for improvement. This is a supremely violent book, and the question of hI've seen this subject worse developed, but that doesn't mean there's no room for improvement. This is a supremely violent book, and the question of how you identify intelligence when none of the obvious stigmata are present is an important one--but swamped by the violence. ...more

Disney's 'eviscerate and homogenize' ethos is most obvious when you go back to the original sources. When I read this book (not in this edition) I wasDisney's 'eviscerate and homogenize' ethos is most obvious when you go back to the original sources. When I read this book (not in this edition) I was horrified by the violence. Disney Studios at least removed some of the violence--but they left the patronizing and abusive elements of the 'traditional' education system almost intact....more

Not to be confused with High Wizardry, which is Diane Duane. This is an anthology of Norton's short stories.

Included stories:

Wizard's WorldThrough TheNot to be confused with High Wizardry, which is Diane Duane. This is an anthology of Norton's short stories.

Included stories:

Wizard's WorldThrough The Needle's EyeBy A Hair Ully The Piper (Witch World)Toys of Tamisan (I believe this is more fully developed in _Perilous Dreams_)

As usual with anthologies, these stories are of varying quality.

Detailed summaries of stories:

WIZARD'S WORLD: Craike is a refugee from a society which has first enslaved, then tried to commit genocide against, psychics. Searching for escape routes, Craike stumbles on (or more literally, falls into) a worldgate into a world in which psychics are controlled by a central collegial body--and dissident psychics are hunted down and outlawed. He sets out to carve out a niche in this world. WARNING: this story explicitly endorses rape as a means of controlling psychics 'for their own good'.

THROUGH THE NEEDLE'S EYE: Miss Ruthevan is a master embroiderer. Among her needles are a special subset of golden needles. The narrator is dubious about the provenance and functionality of these needles--and when she inherits them, she proposes to leave those that remain in their case unused. But she won't destroy them, and proposes to leave the morality and utility of the needles to the discretion of her own apprentice, when the time comes. Note that this is a story in which the main protagonists are both pretty severely disabled.

BY A HAIR: Because of the ahistorical nature of a lot of Norton's work, it's sometimes easy to lose track of how very long her writing career was. This is a story from Eastern Europe, during the Nazi Occupation and the subsequent Soviet Occupation during the Cold War. There's an implication that, once the Christian clergy is removed, people will revert to paganism, if they're not explicitly dogmatic atheists. Maybe. The characters in this story are almost universally despicable, and seem to compete with each other to be the first to sell each other out.

ULLY THE PIPER: Coomb Brackett in High Hallack (here spelt, for some reason, 'Halleck'), was one of the few Dales untouched by outer events. The crippled Ully the Piper, spurned by the local bully, has an encounter with Old Ones in which the piper is paid with healing. The bully thinks he can make a better deal. It's not hard to predict how this will end--which is probably why the story is so short.

Toys of Tamisan: Tamisan is a controlled dreamer, who can share her dreams with clients, through a mechanism developed by the Star Lords . She is an adventure dreamer, rather than an erotic one--and she is more in control of her own actions than most dreamers. Tamisan is sold to a Star Lord, and plans to involve the Lord in dreams based on alternate realities, in which critical historical events went different ways. Thanks in part to a meddlesome cousin of Tamisan's owner/patron, Tamisan and her client find themselves trapped in the dream worlds--and not in control of the outcomes. This version includes only two of the alternate worlds: but, if I recall correctly, Perilous Dreams goes further.

Note that the majority of these stories involve people who are severely disabled. Many take refuge in fantasies that often become too real because of their inability to function in whatever passes as 'real' life in their native climes.

These are details, but details are very important to verisimilitude. Unless you can relate to a fantasy world as a real place, with geography and inhaThese are details, but details are very important to verisimilitude. Unless you can relate to a fantasy world as a real place, with geography and inhabitants, it's little better than the limbo spaces Norton and others occasionally create. These stories are interesting as dealing with the ordinary folk, called to extraordinary fates. Of course, they're also violent--Norton never seemed to escape her proclivity for creating creatures only to have them killed in the second act. Some of the fan literature based on her stories did, though.

As implied by the title, three stories: (1) Sword of Ice, (2) Sword of Lost Battles, and (3) Sword of Shadows.

Note, by the way, that 'Swords' is a suit in the tarot card deck. I just realized this. I gather that the trey of swords has significance, but I'm not QUITE sure how it relates to time travel.

Also note that characters from this book appear in later stories. For example, Yonan plays a fairly major part in Gate of The Cat, which also takes place after the Turning....more

Been a long time since I read this, and it was definitely not this edition. My main response was: Why did the Martians come to Earth? It seems to me tBeen a long time since I read this, and it was definitely not this edition. My main response was: Why did the Martians come to Earth? It seems to me that, whatever their goal was, they could've done it better by standing well back, or going somewhere else. For example, a few rocks from the asteroid belt hurled at Earth would almost certainly have done a lot more damage than the storied Martians did. And most of the resources on Earth are more easily obtainable in places like the Trojan asteroids of Mars, with a much lower Delta v, when you take landing on and departing from Earth into the cost equation.

I understand that Wells was trying to recreate the experience of indigenous peoples of Earth in (say) the Eighteenth Century--it's just that (Wells') Martians don't constitute a very good deus ex machina for the purpose--they're too potent in some ways, and too impotent in others, and their motives are both incomprehensible, and not obscure enough that they should be incomprehensible. ...more

Spider Silk Sand Sister (set in Tormarsh)Falcon BloodLegacy from Sorn Fen (A fairly standard 'wishing ring' story)Sword of Unbelief (about Elys & Jervon, following on from Dragon Scale Silver, but before Gryphon in Glory)The Toads of GrimmerdaleChangeling (As is pointed out, The Toads of Grimmerdale is in several collections. This is the only place that the sequel Changeling is found, as far as I know).

Note that although the stories in this anthology vary a great deal in internal chronology, they seem to have been published around the same period. The anthology itself is from 1980. The cover art is by Michael Whelan, and is from The Toads of Grimmerdale....more

Ok, I haven't actually read the book. I saw the PBS series. Not sure how well the book transcribed the show, but the show was worth seeing, and it wouOk, I haven't actually read the book. I saw the PBS series. Not sure how well the book transcribed the show, but the show was worth seeing, and it would be handy to have the book for reference....more

Not only a good story, but an indication of Norton's thorough research. In a short paragraph of acknowledgement, she not only credits the originator oNot only a good story, but an indication of Norton's thorough research. In a short paragraph of acknowledgement, she not only credits the originator of the tarot reading, but also mentions what a 'jargoon' is. To complete the title, a 'leopard' is a 'lion-pard'--the term 'pard' was once used to describe various great cats (specifically, in this case, a desert cat.)...more

I have to say many blurbs are misleading in the extreme. This one, for example, doesn't include the fact that quite a few refugee clans from Native AmI have to say many blurbs are misleading in the extreme. This one, for example, doesn't include the fact that quite a few refugee clans from Native American tribes seem to've found their way into the Witch World (Arvon especially). In this book, it's the Kioga, who play a fairly major part in the story. The series description is inaccurate, as well--none of the action takes place in High Hallack.

The final resolution of That Which Runs The Ridges is not very satisfying, because the intermediate victims aren't really restored.

Note that Joisan becomes an apprentice midwife in this book--but this really isn't followed up on much later....more

Fulsome (and inaccurate) blurbs to the contrary, this is definitely not one of Norton's better books. Many of her books recycle common settings, themeFulsome (and inaccurate) blurbs to the contrary, this is definitely not one of Norton's better books. Many of her books recycle common settings, themes, etc--this is one.

That said, it's the only real novel set during the settlement of the Dales of High Hallack, and provides necessary prequel information for works set in later times, though written earlier.

Fair warning, however: this book essentially condones rape. The female hero is not technically forced into a sexual relationship despite a commitment to celibacy--but she's psychologically manipulated (by Gunnora, of all people) to believe that a celibate life is essentially perverse. It'd be easier for all concerned if the gods would stop meddling in people's love lives....more

My copy of this is a prepublication edition, apparently intended for reviewers. I don't know if it'd be easier to read if (for example) the endnotes hMy copy of this is a prepublication edition, apparently intended for reviewers. I don't know if it'd be easier to read if (for example) the endnotes had been paginated.

The discussions of the hazards of living in Revolutionary France for 'savants' help explain the obssession with 'perfect' accuracy, which actually hampered the development of the sciences, since the glaring awareness of inescapable uncertainty was prevented from coming to the forefront. A fascinating book, but tragic in many ways....more

This is a terrible pun, of course, since George Adamson was the widower of Joy Adamson. You'd think he, of all people, would recognize that he was TEAThis is a terrible pun, of course, since George Adamson was the widower of Joy Adamson. You'd think he, of all people, would recognize that he was TEACHING lions to live in the wild; after all, if Elsa had had any 'instincts' for hunting, the story wouldn't've happened at all, since Elsa wouldn't've walked upwind of a family of elephants.

I'm not sure if all editions of this book were published posthumously. The edition I read ended with an account of George Adamson's death, and it's worth reading.

I got a copy through the public library, but I don't remember whether I had to go through ILL....more

Either I just put this on the shelf without reading it, or I forgot it immediately. Not quite as sanguinary as other Witch World books--at least the LEither I just put this on the shelf without reading it, or I forgot it immediately. Not quite as sanguinary as other Witch World books--at least the Lord involved mostly stays out of blood-feuds. There're still murders in the story, but not as many.

This was from Norton's later years, when she rarely wrote a book alone, and a lot of the differences in tone are probably from the co-author.

Also curiously inconclusive. A great deal of effort is put into developing the history and personalities of one clan, only to be resolved in the end by the deus ex machina of emigration of only one member. A lot of loose ends are left, and it seems likely there was meant to be a sequel.

In terms of dating, this is hard to place, because it's generational. I've put it where I have (right after The Crystal Gryphon), because it begins at the time of the Thrice Horning in Karsten. ...more

I remember being uneasy about this book as a teen, and when I reread it later, I was even more uneasy. I was unable to figure out why the prince's lamI remember being uneasy about this book as a teen, and when I reread it later, I was even more uneasy. I was unable to figure out why the prince's lameness should've been a pretext for imprisoning him in the first place....more

When I was small we had this on a record. I don't think I've seen the book itself often. I liked the details--the headsman won't behead Bartholomew whWhen I was small we had this on a record. I don't think I've seen the book itself often. I liked the details--the headsman won't behead Bartholomew while he's wearing a hat, the hats become more elaborate further on, etc....more

This book's main claim to fame is that it was the origin of the word 'nerd', which in the story refers to a bird which appears bespectacled, if I recaThis book's main claim to fame is that it was the origin of the word 'nerd', which in the story refers to a bird which appears bespectacled, if I recall correctly....more

Not sure if this was the edition I read. Segar added several words to the English language, including 'goon'. Some people also argue that 'jeep' was iNot sure if this was the edition I read. Segar added several words to the English language, including 'goon'. Some people also argue that 'jeep' was introduced by Segar, since they say that Eugene The Jeep (a teleportational character) was introduced before the word came into common use....more

I was actually looking for an edition that only included Alice through The Looking Glass, since I'm pretty sure I read them seperately. Anyway, theseI was actually looking for an edition that only included Alice through The Looking Glass, since I'm pretty sure I read them seperately. Anyway, these are very influential books. They've not only added many words to English (eg 'chortle'), they've proved rich sources of metaphors. Most people don't recognize that Alice through The Looking Glass is explicitly based in a chess game, even though the illustrations and text make it explicit. I'm told there are people who dress up in costume and reproduce the chess game...

One bit that really terrified me was the part in which the White Knight argues that all of us are only figments of the White King's dreaming, so if he ever wakes......more

There's evidently at least one other edition--mine is a DAW paperback.

This seems to've been an attempt to mimic something along the lines of Edgar RicThere's evidently at least one other edition--mine is a DAW paperback.

This seems to've been an attempt to mimic something along the lines of Edgar Rice Burrough's Pellucidar books--set on Earth, but, in this case, in an artificial crater in Antarctica.

From internal evidence, it seems likely there were meant to be at least two other 'Garan' stories in this book, but apparently it came up a little short, because there're two Witch World Stories at the end: (1) One Spell Wizard, and (2) The Legacy of Sorn Fen. I don't remember the former in any other books, but the latter is in at least one other collection....more

This isn't technically a 'dictionary', so much as a grammar. There is a glossary, but the bulk of the book is semantic analysis, cases, etc. Wish I haThis isn't technically a 'dictionary', so much as a grammar. There is a glossary, but the bulk of the book is semantic analysis, cases, etc. Wish I had my own copy--it would be useful for reference. There is (or was) a quarterly journal to supplement it. Haven't looked for that lately....more

Haven't finished this book yet, but it seems a bit extraneous. Characters from other stories are scattered about, but even some characters in the storHaven't finished this book yet, but it seems a bit extraneous. Characters from other stories are scattered about, but even some characters in the story seem to be added and (inexplicably) dropped. Maybe they come in after p 131, which is as far as I've gotten so far.

Ok, having finished it, there's a bit of reintroduction, but there're still loose ends.

NB: Norton herself sometimes forgot what she'd named things. In other Witch World books the spritelike/avian creatures are called 'Flannan'. In this book they're called 'flamen', like the glowing flowers from The Home in Zenna Henderson's People books.

One loose end--the cat which discovers the worldgate and flees to the Witch World to save herself and her kittens is encouraged to adopt a snow cat kit--which never which never reappears in this book--or any other, to my recollection. Perhaps there was intended to be a sequel?...more

Norton had too strong a tendency to argue that it's possible to deserve suffering and death. Others accepted the products of her facile imagination anNorton had too strong a tendency to argue that it's possible to deserve suffering and death. Others accepted the products of her facile imagination and meticulous research, but were more than a little uneasy with this basic premise. Attempts to mitigate or reject the premise are many, and Norton was evidently ambivalent on this count, so she occasionally cooperated with such revisions.

Not to say there were no murders in the book, nor justifications for murder. One is the oft-repeated 'They were killers, so I had to kill them'. Come again? Who kills you, since you're now a killer? What happens to your murderer? Another is the argument (repeated in other books) that it only takes one to start a war. Rot! The notion of implacable hostility is one of Norton's worst delusions, and too many people didn't seriously object to it.

Not one of the best books, even so--some collaborations work better than others. This one was average, but worth reading for the changes. Others do similar things better.

Note that this book falls into a sub-genre of Norton's works, in which First Nations people are either primary heroes, background characters, or sometimes both....more

This is an unusual Witch World book for several reasons. Two spring immediately to mind (1) One of the main heroes is an elderly woman and (2) The intThis is an unusual Witch World book for several reasons. Two spring immediately to mind (1) One of the main heroes is an elderly woman and (2) The internal workings of Alizon are examined in some detail.

There're fewer murders in the book than the usual Witch World book, and there's more than usual description of everyday life at places like Lormt and on board Sulcar ships. The book's worth reading for that alone, I think.

Note on the blurb: Alizon and the Dales have NOT been at war for 'millennia'. In Crystal Gryphon it is clearly stated that after the fall of Sulcarkeep, the Dales began to be visited by Alizonder 'traders' (more along the lines of pochteca--spies using their role as traders to move among the populace with the intention of spying in anticipation of invading).

In other sources it's made clear that the Kolder tried to use certain clans and factions in Alizon to invade the Dales in order to open access to the Waste for the Kolder--and that they failed. The fact that the common ancestor of Kasarian and Mereth ended up immured near High Hallack seems to have been more or less a coincidence.

Note on this edition: the dedication is to the co-author's father, who had died shortly before publication of this book. There is also a map of the continent of the Witch World containing Estcarp, Alizon, Karsten, Escore, etc, in case the reader was looking for one.

I think I'm going to have to re-read this. The first time, I read part of it in a driving thunderstorm. I was outside because the power was out, underI think I'm going to have to re-read this. The first time, I read part of it in a driving thunderstorm. I was outside because the power was out, under an awning that mostly sheltered me from the wind and rain--but what with the green lightning and the (literal) sturm und drang, I think my attention may've wandered a bit....more

I'm still debating whether to file this under 'O' (for 'On'), or 'W' (for 'Wings'). This isn't technically part of the trilogy it's shoehorned into, bI'm still debating whether to file this under 'O' (for 'On'), or 'W' (for 'Wings'). This isn't technically part of the trilogy it's shoehorned into, because it's actually chronologically previous to The Magestone. Also, there seems to be some arbitrariness in the matter of where to place books in 'trilogies'.

This actually consists of two (mostly independent) stories, with bits of other stories interlarded. The 1st half is a story of how a village of Falconer women deal with refugees. The second half is the story of the kidnapping of five child trainee witches, and the rescue expedition.

Both include Falconers, male and female. I enjoyed the description of the archives of the women's villages of the Falconers. I didn't much care for the abusive attitudes of the refugees--and even the scholars at Lormt weren't very responsive to the fleeing archivist's complaints.

The trainee witch whose parents try to rescue her, first from the witches' council, and later from the Alizondern, appears in at least one later book. By this time, the witches had realized that witches couldn't be entirely nameless, so they began to be given individualized nicknames.

Historical query--how did they manage before?

Locational note--this is the story in which the Toads of Grimmerdale are revealed to be an atypical offshoot of a more traditional scientific expedition--who probably came in through a gate....more

This is the book that got me so mad at HG Wells that I went and looked up his death date to see if he lived long enough to repent his anger at Jan KarThis is the book that got me so mad at HG Wells that I went and looked up his death date to see if he lived long enough to repent his anger at Jan Karski's reports.

This isn't fair, of course. I understand why Wells, who had been duped into believing in nonexistent German atrocities in WWI, would have been suspicious of claims against the Nazis in WWII. But I would have preferred it if Wells had responded like Felix Frankfurter, who told Karski he couldn't believe what Karski reported. When Karski's fellows came forth to assert his credentials, Frankfurter replied "I do not in any way believe the young man is lying. I said I couldn't believe him. There's a difference." ...more

Marginally less violent than the other Witch World books. I never have understood why certain methods of dealing death are considered evil, while otheMarginally less violent than the other Witch World books. I never have understood why certain methods of dealing death are considered evil, while others are tolerated or even lauded. While there is no true sequel to this book, some of the characters recur in The Warding of The Witch World.

Note on timing: Alon is introduced in 'Ware Hawk as a surprisingly late developer. Eydryth is the child of Jervon and Elys, who believes she has no Power. Jervon has been struck by powers he cannot assimilate, and Eydryth believes this is her fault, because she tried to babysit a precocious and Talented child, and was not able to restrain him from doing something reckless.

Several characters from other books get involved in a vengeful quest for power of an Estcarpian Witch who was burned out in the Turning.

Note on this edition: following the title page, but before the Prologue, there are two maps: One of the continent containing Estcarp, etc, and the other of the continent containing High Hallack and Arven....more